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Never forget: Commemorating the Armenian Genocide

April 24, 2014 by Beth Shepherd

Genocide Memorial in Yerevan

April 24 commemorates the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, where it is estimated that 1.5 million Armenians perished. April 24 was chosen as the starting date for the genocide, because, on this day the day Ottoman authorities rounded up and arrested some 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders.

Eternal flame Genocide Monument

During our trips to Armenia, we made several visits to Tsitsernakaberd, a memorial dedicated to the Armenian Genocide on a hill overlooking Yerevan, Armenia’s capital city. We also visited the Armenian Genocide Museum, a sobering testimony to the atrocities of genocide.

 Genocide Memorial in Yerevan Monument

Armenia’s genocide is one of many ethnic genocides our world has seen. Ninety-nine years have passed since that time. The farther we get from such atrocities, the easier it is for people to forget what happened. And we should never forget, lest we continue to repeat history.

And the spirits of all the dead, tonight,
Through my own eyes and soul,
Are awaiting the dawning of the light,
So that, to humanize the cruelty
Of our inhuman lives,
Perhaps from above a drop of light
May fall upon the murdered and the murderer alike

Armenian poet, Siamanto (1878-1915)

For more information about the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian National Institute (based in Washington, D.C.) provides exceptional information about the genocide including a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page, which you can find here.

The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute website is another great resource. The link to the museum is here.

Armenian flag

Take the road less traveled, Beth

Filed Under: Armenia Tagged With: 1915, Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, Armenian National Institute, genocide, Genocide Memorial, Ottoman, Tsitsernakaberd, Yerevan

Five things Kim Kardashian would do on a visit to Yerevan

August 19, 2011 by Beth Shepherd

Not many people travel to Armenia. I count myself as one of the lucky few, having visited three times. Armenia is a beautiful country with a rich history dating back centuries, to the 8th century B.C.

There are many interesting things to do in the capitol city of Yerevan itself. Here are a few of my favorites that I’m sure Miss Kardashian—who is of Armenian descent–would enjoy.

1.  Shop. “Well, duh.“Vernissage Market, Yerevan Armenia

Designer clothing shops line the streets of Yerevan. You can buy Armani in Armenia. Most of the women you see—in the city–are fashionably decked out in sky-high heels and short, form-fitting dresses.

My favorite place to shop for jewelry and handcrafted treasures is Vernissage, the immense outdoor market near Republic Square that is open every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year. Part craft market, part thrift, people set up tables and also lay out their wares on the grass. It’s an eclectic mix: you can just as easily find surplus military gear and antique silver spoons as you can ceramics, dolls, knick-knacks and beautiful chess sets.

Paintings Market, Yerevan ArmeniaAnother fun spot to find local color—and by this I mean art– is the outdoor Paintings Market. This market is across from Opera Square near the statue of Saryan. There are some real gems that can be found at negotiable prices. Purchases are made from both dealers and the artists themselves.

Cafe, Yerevan Armenia2.  See and be seen at an outdoor café. “Khloe, are we in Paris?”

Social life in Yerevan centers on the multitude of cafes with European ambiance that dot the city’s interior. People spend hours sitting, eating, chatting and watching the throngs pass by.

And the food–be still my stomach—the food is out of this world: barbeque, kabobs, sandwiches, dolma and lamajun (Armenian pizza). You can’t go wrong with any choice you make. The only problem you’ll encounter is which café to dine at and which menu items to select!

Cascade, Yerevan Armenia3.  Stay bootylicious by climbing the steps of the Cascade. “Oh-my-gawd-Kourtney, my buns are killing me.”

Feeling like you need to work off that extra piece of baklava? Then head to the Cascade, a behemoth stairwell with 572 steps that was built during the 1970s into a hillside in the center of the city. Water fountains abound, symbolizing a natural “cascade” in a river or stream (hence the name). On a clear day you can see famous Mt. Ararat (now in Turkey), where Noah’s Ark is supposed to have landed.

Although its original intent was as a monument, beginning in the 1990s the Cascade emerged as one of the focal points in Yerevan, similar to the Republic Square. It offers spectacular views of Mount Ararat and the city center. If you’re not up for the stairs, there is an elevator available to take you to the top.

Children's Art Gallery, Yerevan Armenia4. Visit the Children’s Art Gallery. “Can you believe all these freakin’ adorable paintings?”

Located on Abovyan Street, the Children’s Art Gallery is an internationally recognized museum with both rotating exhibits by adult artists as well as a permanent collection of children’s paintings from around the world. These paintings are pure magic, many of them depicting scenes from the children’s homelands.

Genocide Memorial Yerevan Armenia5.  Pay homage to Armenia’s history at the Genocide Memorial.

Every year on April 24, hundreds of thousands of Armenians gather here to remember the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. It is hard not to be moved by the eternal flame commemorating thousands of Armenian citizens who perished. The memorial and a small museum are located on a hillside overlooking Yerevan.

Filed Under: Armenia Tagged With: Cascade, Children's Art Gallery, Dolma, Genocide Memorial, kabobs, Khloe Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Lamajun, Mount Ararat, Noah's Ark, Paintings Market, Republic Square, Vernissage, Yerevan

Some might fend off a mid-life crisis by leaving the comforts of their corporate salary to jet off to a deserted island. Others might buy a Jaguar. I’ve chosen to dive head-long into my 50s and beyond by becoming a first-time parent. At any given moment you might find me holding a camera, a spade, a spatula or a suitcase. Or my little girl's hand. Adopted from Armenia, she puts the Pampers and Paklava into my life.

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